Did Pete Alonso just play his final game with the New York Mets?
The 30-year-old first baseman told reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Miami Marlins that he intends to opt out of his contract and enter free agency for the second straight winter.
Alonso, who signed a two-year, $54 million deal to return to New York in February, had a quiet free agency last year and was forced to take a short-term deal with a player option.
The seven-year MLB veteran responded with one of his most productive seasons at the plate for the Mets, smashing 38 homers while posting an .873 OPS in 162 games. Alonso also became the franchise’s all-time home run leader in August, passing Darryl Strawberry with his 253rd career blast — he ended the season withbn264.
“Playing for this organization, this city – they’ve continued to believe in me. I’ve loved playing here,” Alonso said Sunday. “There’s some great guys in this clubhouse, some great people on the staff. Every single day, it’s been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue.”
Alonso and the Mets were unable to hold down a post-season spot, going 26-37 in the second half to finish tied with the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card chase, losing out on a tiebreaker.
Originally drafted by New York in the second round of the 2016 draft, Alonso debuted with the Mets in 2019 and set the single-season rookie home run record with 53. Since his rookie campaign, only Kyle Schwarber and Aaron Judge have hit more big flies than Alonso.
“I’ve really appreciated it and have been nothing but full of gratitude every single day,” he said. “Nothing is guaranteed, but we’ll see what happens. I’ve loved being a Met. Hopefully, they’ve appreciated me the same.”
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